Stupendous knock from Parsons not enough to secure Wokingham victory at Datchet

Opener blasts 73 for the Oaks, but late stubbornness from the hosts see them hold out for a draw.

The wicket of John Bowman falls during the game between Bracknell and Falkland 3rd in Division 4B.

A top knock of 73 from Stuart Parsons was unable to set Wokingham on the way to victory at Datchet in Division 1 of the Thames Valley Cricket League.

The opener gave the hosts a torrid time in the field at London Road, punishing any short or full deliveries with ease during a fine innings which helped the Oaks to an impressive score of 251-8.

This was having lost the toss and asked to bat.

Parsons shared good partnerships with both captain Jack Turner, the pair producing an opening stand of 52, and later with Rob Edmund (30).

Paul Dewick followed up his four-wicket haul the previous weekend with three quick dismissals with the old ball as the visitors made a great start to their defence.

Jamie Hall went on to break some Datchet resistance with a delivery that nipped back off the seam, as more tight bowling forced the home side to surrender any slim chances of outscoring their opponents.

Now playing for the draw, Datchet lost more batsmen to both Martin Wilson and Jonathan Fowler.

But with experience in the tail end, the hosts began to show their stubborn side, standing up to Wokingham's attacking set up and holding out for a draw.

Captain Scott Dyer's five-wicket haul proved to be in vain for an Eversley side who slipped to a 62-run loss against Kew.

Fancing their chances, Dyer put the visitors into bat having won the toss, and through a return of 5-38, the Boars removed the London side for 161.

There was also three wickets form Matt Brown.

But it was a limp response from the hosts – and if it was not for a half-century 51 from Godwill Manhiyo, the loss could have been even more emphatic.

Not one other Eversley batsman reached double figures during a session in the middle which was over just 99 runs later.

Supporting Manhiyo was the extras column, which totalled 12.

Sonning's disappointing start to the Division 2B campaign continued at the weekend, where a six-wicket loss at Thatcham Town saw the villagers slip back to the foot of the table.

Asked to open the batting, Sonning posted an all-out score of 147.

Despite losing four batsmen, Thatcham were always in control, surpassing their target in the 40th over.

Hurst remain the early pacesetters in Division 3A.

Following closest rivals Wokingham 2nds' draw with Purley-on-Thames, the club's dramatic 16-run win at Royal Ascot moved them a healthy 26 points clear at the top of the standings.

But a fourth win in five games was once again secured the hard way, as the leaders' explosive fielding arsenal was again at its devastating best.

Defending just 119, hosts Ascot were shot out for just 103 in the 40th over.

Leading the Hurst attack on the day was Andrew Cording.

He gave away just 29 runs during a spell which yielded a return of five wickets.

A 54 from Dan Davies secured Wargrave a first win of the season.

His innings helped lead the hosts to a three-wicket triumph against Theale and Tilehurst.

Team-mate Huw Thomas was earlier in blistering form with the ball, as a return of 6-53 for the left-armer helped remove the visitors for 167.

Bracknell are finally up and running in Division 4B.

They were comfortable winners during a game with Falkland 3rd at Larges Lane that produced just 89 runs.

A stunning show from A Sarwan saw him take four wickets in as many balls, which helped contain the away side to a paltry score of 44.

Bracknell needed little time to wrap up the win, racing to a seven-wicket triumph in just 10 overs.

It was a disappointing afternoon for Finchampstead in Division 2 of the Home Counties League.

Chasing the 115 hit by visitors and bottom side Shipton-under-Wynchwood, the hosts were skittled out for just 90.

Billy Rogers (19) and Matt Jones (17) were the only ones to come away from the wicket with any credit, as eight fellow team-mates were all removed for a single-figure score.

A game delayed by three-and-a-half hours and reduced to 36 overs a side, the visitors won the toss and wanted a bat.

The Finch attack all took wickets when helping restrict Shipton to a modest score, with Tip Friday and Harry Stephens leading the way with two scalps.

But the home side never got going in the middle, collapsing from 44-3 to 63-6 and then 90 all out.